Hey all. Great forum.
I'm primarily a bowhunter but am not new to varmint rifles and hunting. My first was a Tikka 595 in 22-250 that I adored and reloaded for. I foolishly sold this gun as I needed the cash and got sick of the bark. I live in a rural/farming/residential county. Lots of people unfond of loud 'sneezing' where I live.
I bought a Ruger 77MKII in .223 that I still own. Its a good gun and I plan on keeping it.
I sold a Ruger77 in .17HMR that I owned, as I loved the gun and those delightful little bullets, I needed cash and wanted the extra 200 yards only a centrfire can provide.

Now to my question. I'd like to by a .17 centrefire. I want an accurate gun and something factory. With Remington about to release that .17 fireball and already having the .17 Remington out, which should I buy?
I will reload eventually, but not right off the hop. What would be your choice?
Also, I value accuracy over looks.
What would be a good choice in a factory rifle as far as accuracy and reliability.
The gun will be used for foxes, crows and jackrabbits(for eating) and some groundhogs come springtime. I will likely use a 3-9 or 4-12 on the outfit.
Thanks, great site you got here.

17 Fireball hands down...

17 Rem, has a lot of problems with the bore fouling...

the Fireball case is the right case volume for that bore...

actually I am looking at that one, to replace my 17 HMRs...I have just never warmed up to the HMR..

17Fireball. Check out and do a search for 17 mach 4 same thing. 20grain at around 4000fps will do little damage and very lethal. 30 grain for coyotes. Remington is using some Shilen barrels now, got my fingers crossed they will use one on the 17FB. About perfect case capcity for 17cal. Not as hard to clean or as wind sensitive as they get a bad wrap for. Lots of great stuff for them now. Looks like a good time to start reloading.

If Rem goes with their 700LVSF in 17 Fireball it would be a nice package. They already offer it in the 221 Fireball, and solved early 700 ejection issues.
My LVSF is a nice handling rifle.
Maybe Rem will offer it in their import Mod 799?
A friend emailed CZ, asking about whether they would offer the 17 Fireball. They replied "not in 2007".